San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval celebrates one of three home runs against the Detroit Tigers in Game One of the 2012 World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, in San Francisco. Photograph: Jose Luis Villegas/AP

Astonishing batting power from San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval led the Giants to a comfortable World Series Game One victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Not only did Sandoval join an elite group of players who have hit three home runs in a World Series game, but he helped destroy what was considered to be one of Detroit's biggest championship advantages: Justin Verlander. The Tigers' pitching ace lasted just four innings as the Giants built a 5-0 lead.

Meanwhile Verlander now has a 0-3 World Series record, having lost his first two starts in the MLB title series in 2006 against the St Louis Cardinals.

Verlander's opposite number, Barry Zito, meanwhile pitched 5 2/3 innings for just one run. Not only did Zito out-pitch his rival, but he also out-hit him, scoring an RBI single to become the fourth Giants starting pitcher in consecutive games to score an RBI. Zito was supported by 2 1/3 scoreless innings of pitching from Tim Lincecum.

The Giants won the 2010 World Series against the Texas Rangers 4-1. The Tigers need to get their bats going and hope that the rest of the pitching rotation is not mauled as Verlander was to avoid falling behind too far.

Game Two will be in San Francisco on Thursday. Doug Fister will pitch for the Tigers and Madison Bumgarner for the Giants.